Severus snorted and looked amused. "Poppy's scoldings can be works of art. I believe I have heard most of them over the years. Much to her frustration, I only tend to listen to half of them." He snorted again. "However my example is not one you should follow. I had reason for doing what I did."

He arched an eyebrow when Terry's fingers brushed his. "You will be able to wake up. This potion merely allows you to get to sleep faster than perhaps you might and encourages you to continue to sleep. It will not stop you from waking should you need to. If it is any comfort, it is one I have used myself in the past."

He gave Terry a measuring look. The man was in no way as badly off as Harry had been the first time he'd approached him about desperately needing sleep but he could still do with that relief. "If this potion has not helped appreciatively in a week then there is a possible solution that could be tried. A potion that will give you eight hours of sleep. Deep sleep. It is not something to be taken lightly but it can be useful. I have used it on occasion myself, usually on the school holidays when I could be sure that I would not be needed and when I could strengthen the wards around my rooms even more than they currently are. Arrangements would need to be made in regards to Ben if you were to take this potion." He paused for a moment. "I do not recommend it now but it is something to keep in reserve if needed."

He looked amused as he sat down at his desk, shifting the chair to the side slightly so that he could stretch out his legs. It was not a pose he often used around others but Terry could be trusted for this much at least. "Stephen Cornfoot is not one to take a backwards step... even when he ought to. It is an admirable quality though I would prefer to see it tempered with a little survival instinct."

He stared at Terry again for a long moment then nodded slightly. "You may come to me if you need someone to talk to... or to answer questions that others can't... or won't. It would not be the first time that I have answered questions regarding the Lestranges, the Death Eaters or Dark magic in general. There are, of course, some questions I will not answer but I will always give you the reason for that."